Do you know how to shop for new car tires?

 We'll just be upfront about it - no one likes buying new car tires. NO ONE. (Well, maybe there's like a handful of people out there who get excited about it, but for the most part... no one.) Car tires are expensive, and on top of that, you have to pay someone MORE to install them on your ride. Plus, it can be a daunting task if you don't know your way around it. As always, our Charlotte Toyota service center is here to help. Check out these tips for shopping for new car tires like a pro. 

Tip #1: Make sure you actually need them. Do you actually need new car tires? It's pretty easy to check (and if you're still not sure, have one of our Charlotte auto service techs do it for you). Here are some signs you're due for a new set of shoes for your car: 

• They're over the age of five years. Tires start to degrade pretty seriously after this amount of time, so it's best to start shopping 
• The tread is low. Do the penny test - stick a penny in the tread of your car tires with Abe's head down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is too low (and putting you at risk of losing traction and getting into an accident) and it's time to replace them. 
• You see obvious damage. If you see issues like sidewall separation, blisters, bulges, etc. then you're due for a new set. 

Tip #2: Know what you're shopping for. Before you start the process of shopping for new car tires, make sure you know what you're looking for. Tires are not one-size-fits-all (unfortunately). You should know what type of tires you need (winter, all-season, performance, etc.) as well as the actual measurements. Here's the breakdown. 

Your tire measurements will read something like this: 255/35R18

• The "255" stands for the width of the tires in millimeters
• The "35" stands for the aspect ration (height to width)
• The "R" stands for radial
• The "18" stands for the wheel diameter in inches 

Make sure the measurements match up or else the tires won't work for your N Charlotte Toyota. 

Tip #3: Decide where to purchase. Where will you buy your tires? You've got lots of options, including: 

• Online. You can definitely buy car tires online - you'll have lots of options and they can likely be shipped right to you fairly quickly. However, you'll still have to find and pay someone to install them for you. 
• At a tire specialty store. You can also shop at a car tire specialty store where a specialist can help you wade through the options and find the right ones. However, the price of installation tends to be bundled in and the cost of both parts and labor are usual pricier. 
• At a dealership. If you usually service at your local dealership (like at our Charlotte Toyota service center), you can get your new car tires there, too. They'll be able to find you the perfect fit and install them. However, if your car is a different make than the dealership, they might not be able to help so be sure to call ahead. 

Need new car tires? We've got you covered. Call Toyota of N Charlotte at (704) 659-2025 today.